Advanced Dementia

One or any combination of any of the following signs may indicate that dementia has progressed to a point where all involved would likely benefit from hospice care:

Progression of the dementia

Requires assistance for ambulation, dressing and bathing

Urinary and bowel incontinence

Speaks six words or less, no consistent meaningful conversation

Unintentional, progressive weight loss greater than 10 percent of body weight in the past six months or albumin level less than 2.5gm/dl

Recurrent infections, such as pneumonia, UTI or pressure ulcers

Frequent falls

Your patients may have priorities and goals aside from living longer. Talk with your patients about their health goals, fears and trade-offs of treatment. To help you determine if it’s time to recommend hospice care, ask your patients the following questions:

What is your understanding of your health or your condition?

What are your goals if your health worsens?

What are your fears?

What trade-offs are you willing to make and not willing to make?

Hospice care can help your patients, and you. We can help you determine if your patient qualifies for hospice care, or introduce the topic with your patients. Please use this information as a guideline. If you have questions about the medical guidelines for hospice care or a specific patient, please contact us online or call (800) 237-4629.

“Hospice actually does make it better, I have to admit. They give you a sense of confidence … they make you as comfortable as they possibly can. Hospice is the best thing that ever happened to us. Emotionally, financially, everything. Hospice is a Godsend.” – Bill, Hospice of the Red River Valley patient